FR 2021-01216

The document in question is an official notice from the Department of Justice (DOJ), specifically the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office). It announces an emergency information collection request that is open for public comments until February 22, 2021. This request is linked to a mandate from President Trump's Executive Order on Safe Policing for Safe Communities, which requires law enforcement agencies seeking discretionary funding from the DOJ to meet specific use-of-force criteria. The primary aim is to ensure these agencies comply with all relevant laws and only permit choke holds when deadly force is justified. The notice also mentions that 52 independent credentialing bodies are expected to contribute, entailing an estimated burden of 217 public hours in total.

General Summary

The notice serves as a 30-day call for public feedback on a proposed information collection related to law enforcement agencies' certification requirements under Executive Order 13929. The goal is to gather insights and suggestions on the necessity, utility, and potential burden of this information collection.

Significant Issues or Concerns

Some significant concerns arise from this document. Firstly, the notice labels the information collection as "emergency" but fails to clarify why expedited processing is necessary. Such an omission could lead to confusion regarding the urgency of the matter. Additionally, the document uses technical terms like Originating Record Identifier (ORI) and Data Universal Number System (DUNS) without defining them, potentially alienating stakeholders unfamiliar with these terms.

Another issue is the ambiguity in the description of compliance criteria for law enforcement agencies, especially concerning the conditions under which deadly force is allowed. This lack of clarity could result in inconsistent interpretations. Moreover, the calculation method for the estimated 217 total burden hours is not transparently explained, leaving some confusion as to how this assessment was reached.

Public Impact

For the general public, this document highlights an important intersection between policing practices and government funding. The requirements could potentially influence the behavior of law enforcement agencies towards greater adherence to federal standards, possibly affecting community-police relations.

However, the lack of transparency and clarity in the document could spark skepticism or concern among citizens who may question the practical implications of the certifications and whether they effectively promote safer policing practices.

Stakeholder Impact

Specific stakeholders, such as local, state, and university law enforcement agencies, as well as the independent credentialing bodies involved, will feel a more immediate impact. The need to meet these certification requirements may place a significant administrative burden on these entities, especially if they lack the resources to compile and submit the necessary information efficiently. On the positive side, compliance could lead to improved policies and practices within these agencies, potentially resulting in safer policing and increased access to federal funding.

Independent credentialing bodies, tasked with compiling and verifying lists of certified agencies, may face challenges due to the lack of detailed guidelines in the document. Without a clear process, these bodies might struggle with proper implementation, verification, and timely submission of information.

In summary, while the intent behind this information collection request aims to enhance policing standards, gaps in clarity and transparency could hinder the understanding and effective participation of both the public and specific stakeholders.